‘How we work’ at the University of Derby – UCU’s Response

The University of Derby has just rolled out a new Policy document, entitled How We Work. UCU Derby does not endorse this document. 

The University presented UCU Derby with their plan to introduce How We Work earlier in the year. The UCU committee decided unanimously to reject this document, and our friends in Unison (representing non-academic staff at the University) did likewise. However, the University has ignored the concerns of both unions and has gone ahead and implemented it anyway. 

There are several reasons why we do not endorse How We Work, including: 

• It allows the university to intrude into your personal lives, including your personal relationships. 
• It gives the University permission to restrict your conduct and behaviours outside of work. 
• It introduces an unnecessary and patronising dress code.  
• It is written in vague language that serves to obscure, rather than clarify, standards of professional conduct.  
• How We Work contains a series of catch-all phrases, which allow the University to interpret your conduct unfavourably if it chooses to do so. 

Please read How We Work and make your own judgement. It can be found in Policy Hub on the University intranet.  If you have any concerns about the content of this document, please let me know. 

Best wishes 

Sean Broome (UCU Derby Branch Chair) 

UoD UCU Branch Committee 2021-2022

The following were duly elected:

Chair: Sean Broome

Vice-Chair: Kulsoom Pridmore

Secretary: Claire Tupling

Membership Secretary: Ruth Mieschbuehler

Treasurer: Patrick Barber

Heath and Safety Officer: Rosemary Horry

Equality Officer: Teresa Forde

UDOL Rep: Prateek Adikari

Anti-Casualisation Rep: Ihsan Foster

Learning Rep: Joanna Poon

AWLP Rep: Vacancy

Committee Member (s) Francesco Belcastro

The above will hold office until the next AGM to be held on Wednesday 18 May 2021

Calling Notice: UCU Branch Committee Elections 2021

The UCU Branch Committee Elections 2021 are now open.

The election for UCU Branch Officers and Committee members is now open. Nominations for the following posts are welcome. The existing post-holder’s name is in brackets.

Chair (Sean Broome); Vice-Chair (Kulsoom Pridmore); Secretary: (Claire Tupling); Membership Secretary (Ruth Mieschbuehler); Treasurer (Patrick Barber); Heath and Safety Officer (Rosemary Horry); Equality Officer (Teresa Forde); AWLP Rep (Carlton McDonald); UDOL Rep (Prateek Adikari); Anti-Casualisation Rep (Ihsan Foster); Learning Rep: (Joanna Poon); and Committee Member (Dennis Hayes) (3 Committee Member vacancies).

Nomination forms are available here from Monday 12 April:

nomination-form-2021-2022Download

The process of election is as described below:

The AGM will be held on Wednesday 19 May. Due to the coronavirus and the effective closure of the physical University this will be an AGM restricted to the formal election of the branch committee ONLY.

The nomination process will open on Monday 12 April and close on Friday 23 April at 12 noon. The election for any contested posts will open on Monday 26 April and close on Friday 7 May at 12 noon.

The results of the election will be posted here on 19 May and the  Regional Office and the University will be informed on that day.

Solidarity with Leicester UCU in their fight to save jobs

UCU members at the University of Derby send their support to UCU members, and others, fighting the planned redundancies at the University of Leicester. Who is for and who is against these plans?:

This is an extract from an Email sent to all UCU members at Leicester University of 4 February declaring a dispute

We’re in the midst of a global pandemic. Contrary to its rhetoric of the prioritisaton of student and staff well-being and ‘citizens of change’ – revealed to be nothing more than cynical marketeer speak – our employer has adjudged such a moment to be ‘perfect’ to make redundant 145 employees. This is after abandoning a similar number of casualised staff 10 months ago and insisting on shared-air teaching, to the detriment of staff health, student health and public health. That the executive board is prepared to repeatedly put at stake our livelihoods and our lives suggest they are not fit for their office. Following an overwhelmingly supported vote at our EGM last week, we asked management to assure us that there would be no compulsory redundancies from the Business Cases. They were unable to do this and so yesterday we formally declared a dispute between Leicester UCU and the University of Leicester and we will keep you informed of the next steps soon. But we need to start preparations now!

We believe another university is possible and now, our centenary year, might the perfect moment to remake our institution – as well as defend the livelihoods and lives of those of us at immediate risk. We are going to set up a new mailing list open to all UCU members who want to play an active part – this might be by participating in discussions, or by volunteering to take on tasks like writing to newspapers, publicising petitions, approaching colleagues.

If UCU members at Derby or elsewhere wish to make a personal statement of support, visit the UCU Leicester website for further information.

 

NEC Elections 2021 – Vote FORDE #1

The University of Derby UCU Branch is excited, once again, that Teresa FORDE is standing for election to the National Executive Committee for a Higher Education Midlands seat. There are six candidates so Teresa has a good chance of being elected if branch members, and their friends elsewhere in the region vote for her.

The University of Derby UCU Branch unanimously endorses the candidature of our long-standing activist, WHO is a TV specialist researching and writing on much-loved programmes like DR WHO. 

Don’t just bin your papers – put a # 1 next to FORDE on page 2 of the Ballot Paper and don’t forget to post it well before the closing date of 2 March.

Returning to our campuses

The UCU Branch Chair – Dr Sean Broome sent this message to all members by email:

“UCU and Unison are closely working with the University to assure safe and secure return to work for the 2020-21 academic year after the COVID-19 lockdown and a period of remote working. The University has released a risk assessment for all staff to complete. but should you have any queries regarding your health and/or need further consultation, please do not hesitate to contact your line manager. If your issues are not resolved quickly please contact a UCU Branch Committee member.”

 

 

 

 

Election Results 2020

The independent returning officer, Nicholas Joseph, declared on Friday 17 April at 12.30 that the following were duly elected as members of the UCU Branch Committee 2020-2021:

Chair:  Sean Broome

Vice Chair: Kulsoom Pridmore

Secretary: Claire Tupling

Membership Secretary: Ruth Mieschbuehler

Treasurer: Patrick Barber

Health and Safety Officer: Rosemary Horry

Equalities Officer: Teresa Forde

UDOL Rep: Prateek Adhikari

AWLP Rep: Carlton McDonald

Anti-Casualisation Officer: Ihsan Foster

Learning Rep: Joanna Poon

Past Chair: Dennis Hayes

UCU Branch Elections 2020

The UCU Branch Committee Elections 2020 are now open.

The election for UCU Branch Officers and Committee members is now open. Nominations for the following posts are welcome. The existing post-holder’s name is in brackets.

Chair (Dennis Hayes); Vice-Chair (Kulsoom Pridmore); Secretary: (Claire Tupling); Membership Secretary (Ruth Mieschbuehler); Treasurer (Vacancy); Heath and Safety Officer (Rosemary Horry); Equality Officer (Teresa Forde); AWLP Rep (Carlton McDonald); UDOL Rep (Prateek Adikari); Anti-Casualisation Rep (Ihsan Foster); FE Rep (Patrick Barber); Learning Rep: (Joanna Poon); and Committee Members (3).

Nomination forms are available here: Nomination Form 2020

The process of election is as described below:

The AGM will be held on Wednesday 20 May. Due to the coronavirus and the closure of the physical University this will be an AGM restricted to the formal election of the branch committee ONLY.

The nomination process will open on Monday 6 April and close on Friday 17 April at 12 noon. The election for any contested posts will open on Monday 20 April and close on Friday 8 May at 12 noon.

The results of the election will be posted here on 20 May and the  Regional Office and the University will be informed on that day.

The first face-to-face meeting of the new committee will be on Monday    5 October at 1 PM.

 

 

 

 

Support UCU Members on Strike in the East Midlands

This is a message from Agnes Flues and Dennis Hayes sent on behalf of UCU East Midlands Region:

Four HE branches in the East Midlands are on strike: De Montfort, Leicester, Loughborough and Nottingham.

UCU members in Branches not on strike can support them by going along to their picket lines, following them on twitter, sending messages of support, organising social events or other support activities (warm drinks and food deliveries if you are nearby) or donating to the local hardship fund (Nottingham). Full details can be found below.

The University of Nottingham UCU branch have organised a strike social on Wednesday 4 March from 7:30pm onwards at the Vat and Fiddle pub (NG2 1NB) – Jo Grady will be joining, there will be a few speeches, lots of music, dancing and beer. It would be great to see many of you there.

Details of pickets you can join:

Leicester: pickets 8-11am main location Victoria park entrance, @leicesterucu, ucu@le.ac.uk

Loughborough: pickets 7:30- 1:30am, @lboroUCU, ucu@lboro.ac.uk

De Montfort:  pickets 8-11am in five locations (incl child friendly picket), @UCU_DMU, dmunionise@gmail.com

Nottingham: pickets 7:30-11:30 in nine locations across four campuses, @UoNUCU, uonucubranch@gmail.com, Hardship fund: Bank account name: UCU Nottingham LA63, Account: 20346359, Sort code: 60-83-01

WHO to vote for? Vote Teresa FORDE

HE Members should have now received their HE Election Ballot papers. The University of Derby Branch is excited to let you know that  Teresa FORDE is standing for election to the National Executive Committee. The Branch unanimously endorses our long-standing activist, WHO is a TV specialist researching and writing on much-loved programmes like DR WHO.  Don’t just bin your papers – put a # 1 next to FORDE on page 2 of the Ballot Paper and don’t forget to post it!

Teresa sends you this message…

“I have worked in Higher Education for many years, initially as an Associate Lecturer and  Lecturer, and have gained experience and knowledge of the importance of communication and working to support members across a range of issues. I have been active at local and regional UCU committees and I am aware of the issues affecting members in the Midlands and I have developed links with colleagues across the region. I ask you to vote for me to represent the Midlands to continue to work to defend our rights and working practices. As a Senior Lecturer in Film and Television at the University of Derby, I also ensure that I always make time to catch up on Dr Who”.

Please ask friends and colleagues at Derby and other universities to vote for Teresa